Remember Why You Are!
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 2:9-12
Declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
It's easy to forget why we are the people we are and why we are here. Regularly we need to ask ourselves some questions like these: What is the purpose of my life?
Why has God placed me where I am?
Why has God placed me in this school, in this job, or in this community?
Why are we living where we are?
Why is our church located in this city or in that suburb or in a rural area?
The early Christians must have wondered about these things often. After God had called them out of darkness, they must have wondered why they had to spend their lives as strangers scattered throughout the Roman Empire (see 1 Peter 1:1-2). What was the purpose of it all?
In our Scripture for today the apostle Peter gives the answer to that question. The key reason why God calls us out of the shadows into his wonderful light is that "we may declare [God's] praises."
God did not call us to be his children so that we could take up space. He did not call us to a life of leisure. God called us for his glory. Someone said, "We were made by God and for God--and until we understand that, life will never make sense." Wherever you find yourself today, ask God to show you how to declare his praises.
Lord, help us to declare your praises wherever you have placed us. Help us to see your purpose for our lives, and make us faithful in our calling. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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